This is a great idea for any elementary school, especially

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for one with any ASD students. I can see how this might be a nice addition. what do you think?

http://www.ydr.com/local/ci_24640038/bu ... riendships

I wished there was such a thing when I was that young.

Personally I would never have sat down there, even if I did feel lonely. It would've been far too embarrassing, and also an obvious way to single out a child.

I doubt many children would take that spot. I'm pretty sure the bench will be nicknamed something other than 'buddy bench'. It might work for the youngest children, but from about 3rd grade, it'd make them a laughing stock I think. Maybe sooner too.

Regardless of the outcome, that kid is adorable, and very brave for trying to make a difference, especially in times like these, and at his age too.

Valid points. At the elementary school I attended, primary grades K-3 had their ovvn playground on the VVest side of the school vvhile intermediate grades 4-7 had their ovvn playground on the East side of the school. They vveren't allovved to mix, mostly to prevent bullying and accidents betvveen small kids and bigger stronger ones. If a bench like this vvere to be used from K-3, by that time there might not be any shy loner kids anymore.. they'd have used the buddy-bench system to make some friends that they could carry on playing vvith in the higher grades.

its a nice idea but only works if children are interested in the fact that you are lonely, we had something similar at our school, most kids were too busy playing with each other to care if someone was on their own.

also if you are very shy than you wont want to have attention put onto yourself so sitting on the buddy bench would be cringing and would also exacerbate the hopelessness of not having any friends, especially if no one comes over.

^ also valid points

In the elementary school I attended, the first-graders were in what we called the little school yard. In the recesses when they were still in school, no 2nd - 6th grader was allowed in the little school yard.

My daughters school has one of these. I don't think little kids are embarrassed to sit there or get teased for it but older kids probably would be. They also have friendship monitors - 2 kids from every class are chosen each week and they look out for kids who might need a friend at break times.